Broken Soldier ~ Assassin's Creed 4

Chapter Forty One

In the morning, I peeled my face away from my damp pillow, flakes of dried, salty tears dropping to the sheets. No one knew just yet that Martin had left for good. In fact, they hadn't come up to bother us. Martin had simply left. He wasn't seen by anyone, or heard by anyone. My family had all cooped up in the lounge room to listen to Caroline's stories.

I sat up with a load groan, not wanting to face the day. A knock came at my door.

"Yes?" I called, wiping my face on the sleeve of my nightgown. Once I guessed it was clean, I dropped my arm and the door opened. My mother stepped inside, her cheeks wet. "Mother, whatever is the matter?" I began to get out of the bed until she dashed over to me and threw her arms around me. "You are scaring me."

"Holden told me that he heard you and Martin arguing." She pulled back. "And then he left." I hung my head. "So, he is gone?"

"And not coming back."

"Why?"

"Because he does not believe that I can give him the family he so desperately desires." She sighed.

"It is because of the miscarriage?" I nodded, and sniffed. "He is a fool. Does he not realise that simply trying again would suffice?"

"I did tell him this, though I was ignored, thus he left. Where was Holden when he saw Martin?"

"The town. He was collecting some seeds for Dave. Martin was seen heading toward the docks."

"Yes, just as he said. He is going back to France, no doubt." She frowned.

"You do not have to stay hiding your emotions." She wiped at her eyes with a small cloth. "I know I have cried rather a lot this morning. It took me two hours to muster up the strength to come and see you."

"Mother..." I fiddled with my hands in my lap. "I am upset. I am just...done with crying." Mother began to sob.

"You are not even twenty five, and yet you have had such a hard life. Your father, your baby, your fiance. All in such a short period of time. I have lost people, but not as closely together as you." She gripped my hand, and held it to her chest. "I do not want you to hurt anymore." She glanced at me, tears still trickling down her face and plopping off of her chin. I cupped her face gently and my emotions began to flood through.

"You don't need to cry for me anymore." I pinned some of her hair behind her ear, and then planted a little kiss on her cheek. "I am alright." I stood. "I will be visiting Linette Kenway today, mother. Would you please ask Dave to cut some lilies? I should like to take them to her."

"Of course. Will you need someone to escort you?" I shook my head. "Alright." She leaned to kiss my cheek and dried her face. "I am sorry you have to go through all of this, my dear. You will find someone better. I will make sure of that."

"I would like to choose someone myself, next time."

"Of course you would." She smiled. "But I will be there to judge the other person." She held my shoulder lightly. "I know my daughter well." I giggled softly.

"Thank you, mother." She winked and left the room.

Once I was dressed and ready, I began towards the door. Reaching to grab a cloak, my fingers brushed the cloak I had once been bought by Martin. I froze, and one of the housemaids stood by me.

"Miss?" She whispered timidly. I tore the fabric from the hanger and handed it to her.

"Sell this to one of the shops in town and keep the money for yourself." I smiled.

"But this is yours."

"Not anymore." I took a crimson cloak from a different hanger and threw that across myself. I then picked up the lilies from the table and set off towards the tavern.